This little boy was finally able to play in the sea thanks to his new wheelchair and his laughter brought his mom to tears.
Joey suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy, which not only affects his legs and arms but also his face and torso sometimes.
Due to his condition two-year-old, Joey suffers from bad sensory issues and can’t stand the feel of snow, grass, sand and carpet.
As you can imagine trips to the beach were impossible, but a charity has now made them possible. They offer big-wheeled wheelchairs on Ingoldmells beach in Lincolnshire and have allowed the family to create a memory of them enjoying the sea together for the first time.
Mom, Helen Butterfield recorded her little boy squealing with enjoyment as the sea water washed over him and dad.
The mom of three lives in Sheffield and Joey’s full-time caregiver said getting to see his reaction was one of the most heartwarming moments in her life.
“Honestly, he has never laughed so much.”
She can’t thank the community group Beach Abilities Ingoldmells enough for giving her boy such a special gift: “the chance to experience waves and mother nature’s beauty instead of feeling left out and different.”
“I’m just so glad I managed to get it on camera. We will never, ever forget this day.”
Joey was born 27 weeks premature and weighed just 2 pounds 6 ounces, he’s unable to support his own body weight to sit up unaided.
Doctors have been sure to prepare the family for the possibility he will never be able to walk but mom Helen does everything she can to give Joey the best life possible.
Joey despises how most things feel but one sensory stimulant he does love is water.
“He doesn’t handle well, especially with strangers, and gets so frustrated, but pop him in the bath and he is in heaven. It was like Joey was born to be a water baby.
“He has been through so much, so seeing him in the sea was the best feeling ever. He is so tiny, but mighty—and I’m sure his strength and determination won’t stop there.”
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